Former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob, 65, died this morning of cancer. He died at 5.25am at the Pantai Medical Centre in Bangsar with his two wives, Puan Sri Faizah Shuaib and Norzilah Jalil (Zila Jalil), and their children by his bedside.

Megat Junid’s remains will be taken to Masjid Nurul Yakin, Kelana Jaya, for prayers before burial. His remains were taken to his residence at No. 2, Jalan SS7/3 Kelana Jaya before burial at the Islam Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery after Zuhur prayers.

Megat Firdouz (son) said his father slept peacefully last night, unlike other nights. Tan Sri prostate cancer was at stage four when it was detected 16 months ago. He had undergone surgery in Singapore to remove a growth on the prostate gland, was admitted to the Pantai Medical Centre last November 19 for a blood clot in the stomache. The doctors told Megat Firdouz that his father was weak because the cancer had spread to his kidneys, liver, lungs and brain.

Megat Junid was born in Kampung Bandar Mukim Bandar, Teluk Intan, Perak, on 8th December 1942 and received his education at Sekolah Melayu Air Mati, Teluk Intan and Sekolah Menengah Anderson, Ipoh. He was a teacher and held a Bachelor of Arts honours degree from Universiti Malaya. He got seriously involved in politics when he was appointed political secretary to Tun Dr Mahathir in 1976. He had also been an Umno information chief. – BERNAMA